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Why vitamin D is important

Vitamin D is important for you and your child. It helps to keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions where bones don’t form correctly and that causes bone pain, such as:

The bones of a child with rickets are unable to support their body weight, resulting in bowed legs or knock knees.

Symptoms of low levels of vitamin D in children

Some signs of low levels of vitamin D in children include:

  • bone and muscle pain

  • thickening of the ankles, wrists and knees, bowed legs and soft skull bones

  • delays in teeth appearing 
  • muscle weakness which can cause difficulties getting up from a chair, climbing stairs or delayed walking.

Severe vitamin D deficiency can cause low levels of calcium in the blood, leading to:

  • to muscle cramps
  • twitching
  • tingling in the hands and feet
  • seizures and breathing difficulties. 
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